In everyday conversations, we often describe things as being “average.” But there are many colorful idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs that convey this concept with more flair. Here are ten you can start using today.
1. Run-of-the-mill
Meaning: Completely ordinary
Example: This café serves run-of-the-mill coffee.
2. Middle-of-the-road
Meaning: Moderately average
Example: His views are quite middle-of-the-road.
3. So-so
Meaning: Neither good nor bad
Example: The movie was so-so, not great.
4. Nothing to write home about
Meaning: Not exceptional
Example: The concert was nothing to write home about.
5. Par for the course
Meaning: What’s expected
Example: That quality is par for the course.
6. Plain vanilla
Meaning: Very ordinary
Example: It’s just a plain vanilla phone case.
7. Standard-issue
Meaning: Typical, not special
Example: These are just standard-issue uniforms.
8. Garden-variety
Meaning: Common, unexceptional
Example: It’s a garden-variety error.
9. Cut-and-dried
Meaning: Predictably average
Example: The plan was cut-and-dried.
10. By the numbers
Meaning: Conforming to a norm
Example: His work is by the numbers.
